Metallic awning



L. A. SANDUSKY METALLIC AWNING Sept. 3, 1957 Filed April 1, 1955 INVENTOR 102/: A. sA/v zxs/r ATTORNEYS United States Patent METALLIC AWNING Lorie A. Sandusky, Pontiac, Mich.

Application April 1, 1955, Serial No. 498,559

4 Claims. 01. 20-575 This invention relates to metal awnings, and more particularly has reference to an awning that is so designed as to be especially adapted for manufacture from aluminum, or similar light, strong material.

An important object of the present invention is to form the awning with horizontally extending side louvers, and with horizontally extending cross plates, in such a manner that a framework or supporting structure is not required, thus to result in an awning having a substantial amount of strength while being economical to manufacture.

Another object is to provide an awning as stated in which a maximum circulation of air will be effected.

Still another object is to provide an awning which will be characterized by the ease of assembly thereof.

A further object of importance is to provide an awning as stated which can be extended to any length, by the addition of any number of cross plates that may be desired.

A further object of importance is to facilitate the mounting of the awning on an associated support structure when the assembly of the awning is completed.

Still another object is to include in the connections between adjacent portions of the awning means to insure air circulation while at the same time preventing the entry of water, thus to effect an air-pervious but water-tight joint.

Still another object is to so design the connections between adjacent cross plates as to form in eflect, a structural beam of substantial strength which will eliminate the necessity of a supporting framework, will facilitate the quick attachment of the adjacent awning portions to each other, and will provide for air circulation between said adjacent portions.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the completed awning;

Figure 2 is an enlarged section on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view on line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged section on line 66 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an enlarged section on line 77 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is an enlarged section on line 8--8 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a detail section view of a modified construction, showing the means for connecting adjacent cross plates in end-to-end relation for the purpose of extending the length of the awning; and

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing a modified means of connecting the cross plate ends to the adjacent side panels.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 10 has been applied generally to the uppermost cross plate of the awning, the reference numeral 12 to the lowermost crQSS plate, and the reference numeral 14 "ice to the intermediate cross plates. At 16 the side panels of the awning have been designated generally.

Considering first the construction of the uppermost cross plate 10, this is formed from a selected length of fiat plate material, such as aluminum, including a plate body 18 which, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, is formed along its upper longitudinal edge with an attaching flange 20 extending the full length of the body 18, said flange 20 being in the shape of an inverted U when seen in cross section. Spaced longitudinally of the folded over flange 20 are openings 22 adapted to receive screws or similar securing elements.

Along its lower longitudinal edge the top cross plate 10 has a depending longitudinal flange extending for its full length, and the plates 12, 14 are similarly formed with depending longitudinal flanges along their lower edges. The upper edge of each cross plate is disposed in overlapping relation to the lower longitudinal edge of the cross plate immediately thereabove, as shown in Figure 2, and interposed between the overlapping portions of the respective cross plates are spacer blocks 24. The spacer blocks 24 are relatively short in length, and are spaced uniform distances apart along the length of the respective overlapping portions of the cross plates. As a result, air can circulate between the overlapped portions of the cross plates, through the spaces between the spacer blocks 24.

Formed upon the overlying cross plate of the overlapped plates is a depending longitudinal flange 26, while formed upon the underlying plate is an upwardly extending longitudinal flange 28. These are disposed against opposite faces of the spacer block 24. Formed in said spacer block, medially between the top and bottom surfaces thereof, and opening upon the opposite side faces of the block, are grooves 34, one of said grooves receiving a lip 30 formed upon the depending flange 26, and the other groove receiving a lip 32 formed upon the flange 28. The lips 30, 32 are disposed in coplanar relation and extend inwardly from their associated flanges toward one another. Screws 36 are then extended through openings formed in the flanges 26, 38, said screws being threaded into opposite faces of the spacer block 24.

The arrangement has the effect of a beam-like connection between the overlapping plates, which connection cooperates with the plates themselves to provide a strong assembly that does not require the use of a supporting framework.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, there is here shown the details of the connection between adjacent side panels 16 of the awning. The panels 16, like the panels 12, 14, are overlapped, with the bodies of the panels 16 being disposed in parallel, inclined planes to insure the shedding of water. The connection between the overlapped portions of the side panels is similar to that employed for connecting adjacent, overlapping cross plates. As shown in Figure 4, flanges 36, 38' are formed on the overlapped side panel portions, and extend inwardly toward one another, said flanges terminating in lips 4t 42 disposed in a plane common to one another and parallel to the planes of the bodies of the side panels. The lips 40, 42 engage in grooves formed in a spacer block 44, the grooves opening upon opposite faces of the block. Screws 45 are threaded through the respective side panels into the block 44.

Thus, at the sides of the awning, as well as on the main portion, a beam-like connection is employed, to provide strength without requiring a supporting framework.

In Figure 6 there is shown, on the lower edge of the lowermost cross plate 12, an integrally formed gutter 46 to prevent water from dripping off the lower edge of the awning over the full length of the awning.

panels to the adjacentends of the cross plates. In this arrangement, the side panels have upper edges formed with reversely bent portions, while the cross plate ends havereversely bent flange portions interlocking with those of the side panels. Thus, the crossplate has a downwardly and upwardly bent flange 48, while the sidepanel has a reversely extending, downwardly bent flange 5i interlocking with the flange 48. Screws can be extended through the interlocked flange portions to secure the" connection.

In Figure 9 there is shown a means for connecting in end-to-end relation adjacent cross plates 1411'. In this form, in which it may be desired to provide an awning of extended length, a pair of cross plates 140 are disposed in end-to-end relation, and at their abutting ends, are straddled by a connecting strip 52 of inverted U-shape in cross section extending transversely of the cross plates. The cross plates have, at said abutting ends thereof, upwardly turned transverse flanges Sdstraddled by the connecting strip 52, and between the flanges 54- there can be disposed a Hat gusset plate 56 depending below the common plane of the plates 1411. Screws 58 are ex tended through the connecting strip'52', gusset, and flanges- 54 to secure the connection.

The gusset 56 can be of a length sufficient to cause a single, one-piece gusset toextendunder a plurality of cross plates, as for example all five of the cross plates illustrated in Figure 1. In this way, the gusset rigidifies the construction, and the gusset itself can be strengthened against transverse bending by means of a bottom strip 60 of channeled cross section, secured to the gusset by screws 62.

In Figure there is illustrated a modified arrangement for connecting the ends of cross plates 14b to'the adjacent edges of side panels 16b. In this form, a connecting strip 64 of inverted U-shape in cross section straddles parallel end flanges 66 formed upon the plates 14b, 1611 respectively. A gusset 68 is disposed between the flanges 66, and screws 70 are extended through the several thicknesses to secure the connection.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof'described above since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only'intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carry out said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor.

change in construction that may be permitted within the scope ofthe appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. A metal awning comprising a plurality of cross plates arranged in superimposed relation with the longitudinal edge portion of one of the plates overlapping a longitudinal edge portion of the next adjacent plate, a flange extending along the full length of the longitudinal edge of said one plate portion, a flange extending along the full length of the longitudinal edge of saidnext adjacent plate portion, a spacer block interposed between the overlapping longitudinaledge portions of said one and next adjacent plates and having one face bearing against the flange of'said. one plate portion and having an opposite face'bearing against the flange of said next adjacent plate portion, and fastener elements connecting theflanges to the opposite faces of said block.

2. A metal awning comprising a plurality of. cross plates arranged in superimposed relation with the longitudinal edge portion of one of the plates overlapping a longitudinal edge portion of the next adjacent plate, a flange extending along the full length of the longitudinal edge of said one plate portion, a flange extending along the full length of the longitudinal edge of said next adjacent plate portion, a spacer block interposed between the overlapping longitudinal edge portions of said one and next adjacent plates and having one face bearing against the flange of said one plate portion and having an opposite face bearing against theflange of said next adjacent plate portion, a lip on said first named flange and seating in a groove formedin said one face of said block, a lip on said second named flange and seating in a groove formed in said opposite face of said block, and fastener elements connecting the flanges to the opposite faces of said block.

3. A metal awning comprising a plurality of cross plates arranged in superimposed relation with the longitudinal edge portion of one of the plates over-lapping a longitudinal edge portion of the next adjacent plate, means connecting saidlongitudinal edge portions together, and-a sidepanel assembly at each end of said cross'plates, said assembly including a plurality of horizontally disposed side panels arranged in superimposed relation with a longitudinal edge portion of one of the side panels overlapping a longitudinal edge portion of the next adjacent side panel,- a flange extending along the full length of the longitudinal edge of said one side panel portion, a flange extending along the fulllength of the longitudinal edge of-said-next' adjacent side panel portion, a' spacer blockinterposed between the overlapping longitudinal edge portions of said one and next adjacentside panels and having one face bearing against the flange of said one side panel portion and having an opposite face bearing against the flange of said next adjacent side panel portion, and fastener elements connecting the flanges to the opposite'faces of said'spacer block.

4. A metal awning comprising a plurality of cross plates arranged in superimposed relation with the longitudinal edge portion of' one of the plates overlapping a longitudinal edge portion of the next adjacent plate, means connecting said longitudinal'edge portions together, andaside panel assembly at each end of said cross plates, said assembly including a plurality of horizontally disp'osed'side panelsarranged in superimposed relation with the'longitudinal edge portion of one of the side panels overlapping a longitudinal edge'portion of the next adjacent-side'panel, a flange extending along the'full length of the longitudinal edge of said one side panel portion, a flangeextending along the'full length of the longitudinal edge of said next adjacent side panel portion, a spacer block interposed between the' overlapping longitudinal edge'portionsof said'one' and next adjacent side panels and-having one face bearing against the flange of said one side panel portionand having an opposite face bearing against the flange of said next adjacent side panel portion, a lip on said first named flange and seating in a' groove formed in said one face of said block, a'lip on said second named-v flange and seating in a groove formed in said opposite face of said block, and fastener elements con necting the flanges to'the opposite faces of said block.

References 1 Cited in' the file 'of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

